We decided that we would sign Bristol up for soccer this year. 3 is a bit young, but since they offered it we thought we would give it a try. So, after registering and going and getting all of the equipment, we took her outside and played around with the ball. She took to it so fast! It was amazing that she could actually kick the ball and follow it, let alone get it into the goal. We were pumped! And, the best part was that she actually enjoyed it and kept asking to play again and again. So, we did!
She had 2 practices and then the third week was their first game. During the practices she would be somewhat involved, but found herself running around and not really listening. It was weird to see her act like this with another adult because in all of her other structured activities, preschool and nursery, her teachers would rave about how great she is and what a great listener. We were then thinking it must be because we were there with her and are not with her in those other activities. Well when game time came, she didn't surprise us at all. She decided that she would rather run around crazy and play princess castle in the goal than go chase the ball and score a goal. Regardless, we really enjoyed watching her and her imagination run wild.
After the 3rd week of her doing this we decided we needed an incentive program. The pink soccer fairy visited her room while she was sleeping each night before a game and delivered her magical pink fairy pixy dust. She was to sprinkle the dust on her before each game so that she would play the best soccer she could! Well, it really didn't work that well, but we tried! We also made a trip to the "Cow Place" (aka chick-fil-a) after each game to get a treat and play in the slides. That didn't work either. Thirdly, Sam decided he was going to go out there with her and see if that helped. Each time their team scored a goal she would run toward him and he would throw her up in the air. That worked for about 2 goals, then she lost interest again.
All in all, we decided she was probably too young to play soccer this year, but that we exposed her and that was good enough. We received a lot of encouragement from other parents who said they had been in our shoes in the years past and that it is just a phase and she would grow out of it. We also got a pep-talk from the best player on her team's mom who said it is just as bad when you have the child on the field who hogs the ball and scores all of the goals. She is right, we both feel the same way!
Regardless of our efforts, we really loved seeing her play and learn a new skill. I am truly excited for the soccer seasons to come!
